First Division - Day 35

Real Madrid 2 - Valencia 1

Madrid: Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Modric (Lucas Vázquez 93‘), Casemiro, Kroos; James (Marco Asensio 66’), Benzema (Morata 72’), Cristiano Ronaldo. 4-3-3.
Valencia: Diego Alves; Montoya, Garay, Mangala, Toni Lato (Gayà 86’); Dani Parejo, Carlos Soler; Munir, Orellana (Bakkali 89’), Nani (Rodrigo 70’); Santi Mina. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 27. Ronaldo. Steered angled header wide of Diego Alves from Carvajal cross.
1-1. 82. Dani Parejo. Curled free kick over wall and in to near top corner of net.
2-1. 86. Marcelo. Picked up long Morata centre and struck shot across keeper.

Yellow cards: Dani Parejo 21’, Toni Lato 25’, Casemiro 52’, Garay 56’, Mangala 64’, Morata 77’, Modric 82’.

Real Madrid are still on track for their first league title in five years, although they struggled before beating Valencia 2-1 on Saturday, Marcelo getting the winner with four minutes to go. The Ches had little to play for, but Santi Mina brought a good save out of Keylor Navas early on, and Orellana turned a shot wide soon afterwards. Benzema tested Diego Alves a couple of times though, and with just under half an hour gone Ronaldo headed the opener from a Dani Carvajal cross. Munir and Dani Parejo went close for the visitors either side of half time, but a few minutes in to the second half Madrid were awarded a penalty when Parejo pulled back Modric in the area. Alves saved Ronaldo’s spot kick however, and with eight minutes to go Parejo levelled the scores with a well struck free kick before Marcelo stepped in to save the day once again. The result keeps Zidane’s side level on points with leaders Barcelona, with a game still in hand.